US gives no spying guarantee to UN: spokesman
The US government has guaranteed the UN that it is not intercepting its secret communications, a spokesman said Wednesday while not being drawn on reports of past spying.
Putin topples Obama in Forbes power ranking
Having outfoxed him on Syria, Russian President Vladimir Putin has now pipped Barack Obama to the title of the world's most powerful leader as ranked by Forbes on Wednesday.
S. Korea president addresses suspicions of poll-meddling
S. Korean President Park Geun-Hye vowed to ensure the political neutrality of government agencies, as she addressed allegations that the domestic spy service interfered in last year's presidential election.
Uzbek first daughter confirms media empire shutdown
The eldest daughter of Uzbekistan President Islam Karimov Wednesday confirmed the closure of television channels she is believed to control, as rumours build of a rift in the ruling family.
31 October 2013 12:00
India plays down prospect of early Rafale fighter deal
India's defence minister played down on Wednesday the prospects of a speedy conclusion to contract negotiations with France's Dassault Aviation for the acquisition of 126 Rafale fighter jets.
31 October 2013 11:32
British newspapers in bid to block tough new press watchdog
British newspaper and magazine publishers sought a last-minute court injunction on Wednesday to stop a mechanism backed by politicians to regulate the press from being approved later in the day.
Germany to allow third gender option at birth
Germany on Friday will become the first European country to allow babies born with characteristics of both sexes to be registered as neither male nor female.
30 October 2013 16:07
US spy chiefs hit back in Europe row
US espionage chiefs turned the tables on European allies in the transatlantic spat over intercepted phone records, saying in many cases it was European agencies -- not the NSA -- that gathered and shared them with America.
Obama, Netanyahu discuss Iran
US President Barack Obama spoke to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about Iran, a day after the Israeli leader warned Tehran could convert uranium into weapons-grade material within weeks.
Peace envoy heads for Syria, Russia slams rebel threats
UN-Arab League envoy Lakhdar Brahimi headed for Damascus to seek support for a Syria peace conference, as Russia slammed rebels for threatening those planning to attend the so-called Geneva II talks.
